Odisha: Sambalpur collector, SP served notices over detention of BJP MPs

BJP leaders, including union minister Bishweswar Tudu, Bargarh MP Suesh Pujari, and state BJP president Manmohan Samal were allegedly detained when they were on their way to meet the victims of Sambalpur communal violence on April 18

Updated on: May 6, 2023, 10:49:42 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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The ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions issued breach of privilege notices to the Sambalpur district collector and superintendent of police (SP) for allegedly detaining Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders

BJP leaders, including union minister Bishweswar Tudu, Bargarh MP Suesh Pujari, and state BJP president Manmohan Samal were allegedly detained when they were on their way to meet the victims of Sambalpur communal violence on April 18. They were detained by the Sambalpur police at Thelkoli police station.

Tudu said the district administration was given prior information regarding the visit, but still, the cops prevented the team. “We were denied entry into the city while rioters moved freely,” he said.

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“The district collector does not have any rights. When the curfew is relaxed, everybody is allowed to move out for work. Police said that the curfew is not relaxed for people’s representatives. This is illegal,” said Pujari.

“Though the SP admitted that the stone-pelting was pre-planned, no action has not been taken against the rioters.”

Following the detention, BJP MPs Pujari, Jual Oram, and Basant Panda alleged a breach of privilege by the Sambalpur SP and the district collector before the Lok Sabha speaker and demanded action against them.

Taking the matter seriously, the ministry served breach of privilege notices to the concerned officials and sought a report within 15 days.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More